Local Dish

• A must stop 'n shop in downtown Los Olivos, Saarloos & Sons provides a feast for the senses in their decked out "modern vintage" tasting house and interiors boutique offering wine tasting, fab finds for the home and enjoy cupcakes. www.saarloosandsons.com

• Santa Barbara jumps onto the mobile foodie bandwagonwith the new Burger Bus, serving up deluxe burgers (and falafel for vegetarians) made from locally sourced ingredients. www.theburgerbus.com

• Helmed by Santa Barbara native Matt Chrestenson, Union Ale Brewing Co. opened at 214 State Street. The microbrewery and restaurant will serve fresh, fun food made from scratch—think flatbreads, quesadillas, build-your-own burgers, tacos, salads and wraps. www.unionale.com

• A local favorite since opening in 1995, Blue Agave recently debuted a new Sunday brunch experience that highlights the restaurant and bar's eclectic "continental drift" menu. A rotating line-up of special enhancements like DJs spinning lounge music, trunk shows and henna tattoo artists will keep guests coming back for more, as will the bottomless mimosas, dim sum and chilaquiles. www.blueagavesb.com

• In the heart of The Funk Zone, Red's Urban Wine Bar (formerly Red's Café)reopened after a renovation of the space and revamp of the concept, including a beer- and wine-friendly menu featuring cheese plates, tapas and homemade desserts. www.redssb.com  

• Blush, a new restaurant and lounge in the State Street space that formerly housed Zelo,opened Memorial Day weekend with a complete dinner and cocktail menu, late night fine-dining and live entertainment, including a gospel brunch.

• West Beach's always buzzing Brew House added weekend breakfast service from 8am-11am. www.brewhousesb.com

• Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara opended its new signature restaurant and bar, Tydes, located at the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club on Butterfly Beach. Tydes offers exclusive, upscale dining in a beautiful and relaxed setting, enhanced by the area's most expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and Santa Barbara coastline. www.fourseasons.com/santabarbara

• The team behind Montecito Café opened Jane at 1311 State Street. The menu is similar to Montecito Café, known for its quality California-European fare and very reasonable prices (entrees are all under $20).

• In August 2008, Chef James Sly (formerly with Lucky's and El Encanto) opened Sly's in Carpinteria, presenting a superb fine dining option in the laid-back beach town. Specialties for lunch and dinner include local abalone and simple seafood, steak and pasta dishes. www.slysonline.com

• Another August 2008 debut and a big hit with local foodies, Julienne opened in the Canon Perdido corner space that once housed Le Bon Café and Dish. The customized menu concept is centered around the use of local, seasonal and sustainable ingredients—three, five and seven course tasting menus (with wine pairing option) are available. www.restaurantjulienne.com

• The Boathouse also opened late summer 2008 in the revamped Brown Pelican space, perched above Hendry's Beach with fantastic ocean views. Owned by the same family behind FisHouse and Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, Boathouse similarly specializes in fresh seafood from local waters, serves three meals a day and offers a take-out snack bar for beachgoers. www.sbfishhouse.com

• Kunin Wines is the latest addition to the Urban Wine Trail in downtown Santa Barbara. Set in the "Funk Zone" on Anacapa Street, tasting room visitors can sample wines from Seth Kunin's Kunin label as well as Westerly Vineyards wines, which he also makes. www.kuninwines.com

• Crushcafe opened nextdoor to Crushcakes Cupcakery, offering "Peace, Love and Food" from 8am-5pm daily. www.crushcafes.com